Blog
Plain-language pieces on BC real estate, corporate, estate planning, and civil litigation. Written for the people who hire us, not for other lawyers.
Probate is the BC Supreme Court's confirmation that a will is valid and the executor can act. When it is required, what passes through it, how long it takes, and what it costs.
Read articleThree tools for splitting income, sheltering retained earnings, and planning succession in a BC private company — and the situations where each one is the right call.
Read articleThe standard GST New Housing Rebate refunds 36% of GST paid on a new BC home, capped at $6,300. The eligibility rules are narrower than buyers expect, and the most common claim mistake is structural.
Read articleBC probate fees run about 1.4% of the gross estate above $50,000, plus a base fee. On a $1M estate, that is about $13,650. Here is how the math works, what counts toward the fee base, and the legitimate tools to plan around it.
Read articleA minute-by-minute walkthrough of completion day on a BC residential purchase — who does what, what can go wrong, and when you actually get the keys.
Read articleA Personal Real Estate Corporation can defer six figures of tax over a career — or save almost nothing — depending on how much commission income the realtor leaves inside the corporation. Worked examples at $150K, $250K, and $400K.
Read articleAdding an adult child to a BC home title in joint tenancy looks like a clean probate-avoidance move. The tax, creditor, and litigation consequences are usually worse than the probate fees the move was meant to save.
Read articleBC first-time buyers can save up to $50,000 in GST on new homes under $1M. The eligibility tests, the math, and what your lawyer files at closing.
Read articleTwo executors instead of one feels safer. In BC estates, it sometimes is and sometimes is not. A practical look at co-executor decisions and what to do about deadlock.
Read articleA well-drafted demand letter can resolve a BC dispute before a lawsuit is filed. A poorly drafted one can turn a winnable case into a bad one. Here is how to use them well.
Read articleBC real estate deposits are not automatic forfeitures or automatic refunds. Who keeps the deposit when a deal falls apart depends on why, when, and what the contract says.
Read articleThe federal lifetime capital gains exemption can shelter hundreds of thousands of dollars in gains on the sale of a qualifying small business corporation. Here is how it works and what BC owners need to do to qualify.
Read articleJoint tenants vs tenants in common in BC: right of survivorship, what happens on death, probate, and how to change title. A plain-English guide with a comparison table.
Read articleWhen you incorporate a business in British Columbia, you gain access to the advantages of operating through a corporation—limited liability, tax planning opportunities, and more.
Read articleFrom the Offer to Lease to fixturing periods, rent-free periods, and net operating costs — the commercial lease terms BC business owners should negotiate before signing.
Read articleA Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC) offers licensed realtors in British Columbia a streamlined and tax-efficient way to operate their business.
Read articleHow a BC physician incorporates a medical professional corporation (MPC): CPSBC permit, the lawyer's certificate, share structure, and the eight steps from name to certificate.
Read articleLegal services can often feel out of reach for many people due to the high costs associated with hiring a lawyer.
Read articleThe distribution of a loved one’s estate can often lead to emotional and legal challenges, as was seen in a recent case involving Mrs. Law’s will.
Read articleBC caps annual rent increases each year, but landlords can apply to the RTB for more. How the cap works — and the case where a landlord was granted a 23.5% increase.
Read articleIf you’ve incorporated a company or are considering doing so, one of the key aspects of running your business will be complying with legal requirements for record-keeping.
Read articleWhen incorporating a business in Canada, one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is how to structure your shares.
Read articleSole proprietorship vs incorporation in BC: liability, tax, setup cost, and compliance compared in a table, with the situations where each one is the right call.
Read articleWe draft and review business contracts in BC — on both sides of the deal, from a one-page agreement to a multi-party shareholder agreement.
Read articleAn overview of the legal side of residential and commercial conveyancing in BC — what you deal with as a buyer, a seller, and on a refinance.
Read articleLife is unpredictable. Illness, accidents, or cognitive decline can strike without warning—leaving you unable to make or communicate your healthcare decisions.
Read articleAn enduring power of attorney in BC lets someone manage your finances if you lose capacity. How it differs from an ordinary POA, what it does (and doesn't) cover, and how to sign one.
Read articleIncorporating a company in BC — the structure choice, BC versus federal incorporation, the tax and liability advantages, and the records a corporation has to keep.
Read articleA plain-English guide to the trusts used in BC estate planning — alter ego, joint spousal, family, disability, and bare trusts — and what each one is actually for.
Read articleCreating a Will is an essential step in managing your estate, ensuring that your wishes are honoured after you pass away.
Read articleAn Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) in BC is not a criminal charge — but the consequences are serious: licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, and penalties under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Read articleIf your BC company has more than one shareholder, a shareholders' agreement sets the rules for decisions, share transfers, disputes, and exits.
Read articleDealing with a landlord who neglects or declines to make essential repairs or maintain your rental unit can significantly impact your health, safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction with your home.
Read articleDuring articles, we were involved in a case that highlighted the intersection of money and access to justice — a matter that goes to the heart of our legal system's integrity.
Read articleWhy BC real estate deals fall through — breach, misrepresentation, frustration — and the remedies available to the innocent party: deposit, damages, rescission, specific performance.
Read articleCan an employer reduce your pay in BC? What the Employment Standards Act requires, why a pay cut generally needs your written consent, and when to get legal advice.
Read articleGetting a traffic ticket is undoubtedly frustrating, but what many people in British Columbia fail to realise is that receiving multiple tickets can lead to even more serious consequences.
Read articleIn a BC real estate deal the completion date (BC's 'closing date'), the possession date, and the adjustment date mean different things. Here's how each one works.
Read articleOwning a home is a dream for many Canadians. However, with the rising prices of real estate, it can be challenging for some to qualify for a mortgage from traditional lenders like TD or RBC.
Read articlePurchasing a new home can be a thrilling experience, but it can also be very stressful. Making such a significant financial investment and having to make decisions that will affect your life for…
Read articleBC property transfer tax exemptions explained: the first-time home buyer exemption, the newly built home exemption, related-individual transfers, and the 20% foreign-buyer tax.
Read articleHow much property transfer tax you pay in BC: the 1% / 2% / 3% brackets, the 2% luxury surtax, who pays and when, and worked examples from $500K to $3.2M.
Read articleTitle insurance protects a BC property owner against title fraud, liens, and defects a land title search can miss. What it covers, what it costs, and how to get it.
Read articleWhether you're a first-time homebuyer or not, the closing costs associated with purchasing a property can come as a surprise. You should make sure you have a budget set aside for these costs.
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